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Board to discuss dog ordinance; POA lot inventory rises by 47

A proposed animal-control ordinance for Hot Springs Village continues to take shape.

The Property Owners’ Association board of directors will discuss the latest draft at its work session at 9 a.m. tomorrow in the Ouachita Activities Building, Ponce de Leon Center.

The work session was delayed from Feb. 5 because of widespread power outages following a winter storm. The regular February board meeting will follow the work session.

The animal ordinance was developed after a Villager was attacked and killed by a dog described by the Saline County prosecuting attorney as a bullmastiff/pit-bull terrier mix last Nov. 21.

The proposal is modeled on the existing Garland County dog ordinance, with some modifications including a leash requirement and appointment of an animal control officer. The topic was discussed at the board’s January work session and at a town-hall meeting on Jan. 23.

Police chief Gary Adams, in his report to general manager David Twiggs, said it appeared everyone who wanted to speak at the town-hall meeting was able to do so. And POA legal counsel Don Schnipper took copious notes related to suggestions for changes to the proposed ordinance, Adams said.

One of the changes since the town-hall meeting is that a dog owner, custodian or person of authority who allows a dog to illegally roam at-large multiple times could be cited by Village police or an animal-control officer and subject to a fine of $50 to $500.

A pet would be considered at large when it is off the owner’s property, and not under control of a competent person.

The penalty for a dog biting or seriously injuring a person or domestic animal would be a class A misdemeanor – the most-serious misdemeanor – and subject to a fine of up to $1,000, and up to one year in jail.

The ordinance would allow the district court to declare a dog to be a nuisance. It also declares that certain types of dogs have physical characteristics that present a significant risk to the public.

After an affirmative board vote tomorrow, the ordinance would be presented to the Garland and Saline county quorum courts for review and passage of a Village-specific ordinance.

In other business, Twiggs will present his GM report. Chief operating officer Don Yucuis will present his monthly financial report. The POA lot inventory rose to 2,236, from 2,189. The POA gained 49 lots and sold two, for a net gain of 47.

The board will also discuss appointments to the governing-board committee.